Born: 1987 (Yerevan, Armenian SSR)
Susianna Susi Levonovna Kentikian (Armenian: Սյուզի Կենտիկյան; born Syuzanna Kentikyan on 11 September 1987) is an Armenian-German former professional boxer. She competed from 2005 to 2016 and is known for her remarkable achievements in the sport.
Kentikian was born in Yerevan, Armenian SSR. However, at the age of five, she and her family were forced to leave the country due to the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. In 1996, they settled in Hamburg, Germany, where Kentikian would embark on her boxing journey at the age of twelve.
After a successful amateur career, Kentikian turned professional in 2005 when she signed with the Hamburg-based Spotlight Boxing promotion. She quickly made a name for herself in the flyweight division, becoming a two-time world champion.
From 2007 to 2012, Kentikian held the World Boxing Association (WBA) female title, and from 2013 to 2017, she regained the title. In addition, she held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight championship from 2009 to 2012. Kentikian also claimed the Women’s International Boxing Federation (WIBF) title from 2007 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2017. Her accomplishments were recognized during the 2009 WBA convention in Colombia when she was named the first-ever WBA female Super Champion. Consequently, the prestigious belt reserved for future Super Champions was named the Susi Kentikian belt.
Kentikian’s early professional career was marked by an unbeaten streak, winning 16 of her first 30 fights by knockout or stoppage. Her skill and tenacity in the ring caught the attention of German television stations, with ZDF broadcasting her fights since 2009. Prior to that, she headlined fight cards for ProSieben from 2007 to 2009.
Beyond her boxing achievements, Kentikian gained minor celebrity status in Germany, aiming to attain popularity similar to Regina Halmich, a retired German female boxing star. Kentikian’s perseverance and dedication to her craft have inspired many individuals, both in and outside of the boxing world.
Susianna Kentikian’s journey to success was not without its challenges. At a young age, she experienced the difficulties of being a refugee and the uncertainties surrounding her family’s residency status. Multiple attempts were made to deport Kentikian and her family, but the intervention of local friends, including her amateur trainer Frank Rieth, prevented their expulsion. Finally, in 2005, Kentikian’s family received a permanent residence permit when she signed a three-year professional boxing contract, securing a stable income.
Throughout her career, Kentikian has been a trailblazer for women in boxing, breaking barriers and leaving a lasting impact on the sport. Her combination of skill, determination, and resilience has set her apart as one of the most influential female boxers of her generation.
Awards:
– World Boxing Association (WBA) Female Flyweight Champion (2007-2012, 2013-2017)
– World Boxing Organization (WBO) Flyweight Champion (2009-2012)
– Women’s International Boxing Federation (WIBF) Flyweight Champion (2007-2012, 2015-2017)
– WBA Super Champion (2009)